The sampan is a small, flat-bottomed Chinese boat, propelled by oar, pole, or small sail, traditionally used for fishing, transport, and as a tender to larger junks. Pirate fleets in Chinese waters used sampans for scouting and close-in boarding operations that larger junks could not perform.
Quick Facts
| Ship Class | Small/Coastal |
|---|---|
| Era Used | various, still in use |
| Typical Crew | 1-5 |
| Guns / Cannons | none typically |
| Speed / Handling | Slow, oar/pole propelled or small sail |
| Notable Use | Used by pirate fleets for scouting, boarding, and shallow-water operations |
Learn More
As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.